Steps to Take After Purchasing Expired Products From a Supermarket

The recent expiry date on edible products scandal involving Naivas Supermarket, a major Kenyan retailer, sent shockwaves across shopping aisles. While investigations continue, fresh questions are being raised about how safe the products on our local store shelves are. 

When I purchased several packets of milk from my local vendor a few weeks ago, I noticed that they had gone bad. The prices were fair, and I had built a rapport with the shopkeeper long enough to trust his products.

When I raised the concern with him, the shopkeeper seemed genuinely frustrated since several other customers had returned with similar complaints, proving that the concern might be an industry-wide problem. Yogurt is the biggest culprit.

It is even more puzzling how the unhealthy expired products end up on supermarket shelves. Is it a case of poor stock management, careless oversight, or a behind-the-scenes play to move volume?

Whether due to poor inventory practices, negligence, or deliberate mislabeling, expired products pose real risks to our health and wallets. Which is why understanding this is key if we want to protect ourselves and demand better from the places we shop. 

How Do Expired Products End Up on the Shelves?

Expired food doesn’t just accidentally appear on store shelves, sometimes it is negligence. Retailers, especially those with slow-moving stock or poor inventory systems, may try to reduce losses by quietly recycling products nearing or past expiry.

These tactics could include;

• Covering old expiry dates with new stickers,
• Mixing older stock with newer ones, or
• Placing soon-to-expire items at the front to move them faster.

In some cases, the issue is poor staff training. Stock might get delivered late, unpacked slowly, and placed on shelves without proper checks.

And then there’s the worst-case scenario, which is outright fraud. Unscrupulous traders may tamper with labels or repackage expired goods altogether, especially in informal markets.

Unfortunately, to the unsuspecting shopper, spoiled yogurt, stale biscuits, or rice with a sour aftertaste can lead to food poisoning, allergic reactions, and long-term health issues, especially in kids and the elderly.

Smart Shopper Checklist: What to Look for to Avoid Buying Expired Products

The packaging looks new. The price seems fair. But is it safe?

When it comes to expired products, looks can be deceiving. Some of the most dangerous items look perfectly fine on the outside.

Here’s a simple checklist to help you avoid nasty surprises or experiences with expired products, foodstuffs, and groceries from the supermarket.

1.      Check the expiry and manufacturing dates

Don’t just scan for the expiry date, check the manufacturing date too. A product that expires next month but was made two years ago might’ve been badly stored, handled roughly, or near spoilage.

Some stores push old stock with "long" expiry windows to mask how stale it is.

Example: A snack bar may say "best before June 2025," but if it was made in 2022 and stored in a hot environment? You’ll taste the difference.

2.      Examine packaging (for faded, bloated, or broken seals)

Faded print, crumpled edges, bloated tins, or broken seals are major concerns. A bloated juice box means that it’s likely fermenting.

Run your fingers along the seal. If you feel soft spots or bulges, put it back.

Note: Canned foods with bulging tops might be contaminated with bacteria like Clostridium botulinum. That’s not bad, it’s deadly.

3.      Temperature-sensitive items: Was the freezer even working?

Refrigerated and frozen items are highly perishable. If the cold chain is broken at any point (during delivery, storage, or on display), the item’s shelf life drops dramatically.

Always touch the item. If it’s not cold enough, skip it. Also, beware of water streaks or ice crystals. These are signs of thaw and refreeze.

4.      Ask staff if dates are unclear

If you can’t see the date, ask. You’ve got every right to. Dodgy stores might hide dates under price stickers or on the inner fold of a label.

And if a staff member can’t give a straight answer or acts cagey? Drop the item.

Tip: Products nearing expiry are often discounted. There’s no shame in buying them—but only if you’ll use them before they expire.

5.      Keep your receipt, you might need to report someone

Never toss that receipt. It’s your proof of purchase and your best bet at a refund, exchange, or formal complaint.

If you discover a spoiled or expired product, take a photo of the item and its label, then return it with your receipt. In case of any pushback, file a complaint with Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) or the county’s public health department.

How Expiry Labels Can Be Manipulated

In some stores, what you see isn’t always what you get. Expiry dates can be hidden, altered, or cleverly disguised. If you're not paying attention, it's easy to walk out with something that should’ve been tossed out weeks ago.

• Covering dates with price stickers

Some retailers cover expiry dates with price tags or promotional stickers, making it hard to know how fresh a product really is. In some cases, this is deliberate to sell old stock.

When labels are hard to peel or placed over critical information, it’s a red flag worth paying attention to.

• Changing packaging with old stock

Old or unsold inventory is sometimes transferred into new packaging to extend shelf life perception. Think of baked goods put in fresh wrappers or dry foods poured into unbranded plastic containers. Without batch numbers or date codes, it's nearly impossible to trace freshness, making it easy for stale goods to circulate unnoticed.

• Offering steep discounts on expiring items without disclosing the expiry date

Stores sometimes push products nearing expiry through flash sales without prominently displaying dates. Discounts are advertised to move stock quickly, especially for perishable goods like dairy or frozen items. Without visible expiry labels or staff disclosure, customers end up buying items that may expire the same day or have already expired.

What to Do If You Unknowingly Buy an Expired Item

You get home, unpack your groceries, flip the packaging, and, boom, it expired yesterday or last week.

So, what now?

Don’t throw it away.

• Take clear photos of the product, especially the expiry date
• Snap the receipt. If the item isn’t listed, get a shot of the shelf tag or signage
• Keep the item in its original packaging

Next, return to the store:

• Calmly explain the issue
• Request a refund or exchange

If they won’t cooperate?

• Report the store to KEBS via their official complaints portal
• Contact your county’s public health office
• Share your experience online (it gets attention!)

This way, you are protecting yourself while also making the system safer for everyone who shops there after you.